For a Truly Peerless Dining Experience, Visit This Top-Rated Ashland Restaurant

by | Aug 24, 2023 | Food, Food & Drink, Restaurants

The Southern Oregon tourist mecca of Ashland has no shortage of fine dining options to serve the literally hundreds of thousands of theater-goers who flock to the city’s annual Shakespeare Festival. And to say that Peerless Restaurant and Bar stands out among the pack is not an understatement. It may seem a little boastful to name your restaurant “Peerless,” but when you can back it up with impeccable service and quite simply the best local and seasonal cuisine in the area, you’ve earned your stripes in my book. 

seared tuna
Seared Tuna, photo by Kelly Singh Google Local

There are tons of great options for eating out in Ashland depending on your budget. Peerless is definitely a fine-dining restaurant, and on any given day you’ll find customers here splurging on a birthday dinner or celebrating their anniversary. 

dining room
Dining Room, photo by Joshua Cabe Johnson Google Local

The restaurant is just removed enough from the din of downtown Ashland that you’ll feel a sense of tranquility and peace when you enter their inviting space. Sit outside in their open and verdant patio or in their sleek yet cozy dining room by the fire. That said, it’s also close enough to the festival that you can enjoy your dinner then take a short walk down the street with plenty of time to get to your seat before the curtain goes up.

outside seating
Outdoor seating, photo by Peerless Restaurant Google Local

The regularly changing menu is eclectic, interesting, and as the restaurant’s website itself proclaims, “unwaveringly thoughtful and aggressively seasonal.” The executive chef, Harlan Brooks, worked his way up in the restaurant’s kitchen over the last 12 years and is truly committed to perfecting his flavors and technique to give guests an unparalleled dining experience. 

hummus plate
pita and hummus plate, photo by Peerless Restaurant Google Local

You’ll always find something new at Peerless whether it’s a freshly invented menu that only uses the best ingredients from the area, or a chef’s special for the night. For appetizers this summer try the Heirloom Tomatoes & Roti with tomatoes warmed in a house curry and served with caramelized shallot, toasted seeds, spices and whole wheat flatbread brushed with coriander butter, or the Japanese Eggplant Fritters made with a creamy fermented pepper and tomato dip, Pecorino Romano and chives. You may be tempted to pass up the bread in lieu of “fancier” foods, but their signature loaves are always delicious and not to be missed.

oysters!
Oysters on the half shell, photo by Victoria Rodriguez Google Local

For main dishes, customers rave about the Grass-Fed Steak Tartare with toasted fennel seed crackers, smokey giardiniera, stone-ground mustard, cornichon, charred savoy cabbage slaw, yolk, and dill powder, or the Poblano Mole Carlton Farms Pork Cheeks with toasted nuts and seeds, fresh summer vegetable salad with lime crema dressing.

fancy drink
Fancy Cocktail, photo by Peerless Restaurant Google Local

Of course, a great meal deserves a great drink and at Peerless you can choose from local wines, thoughtfully paired with the seasonal menu, or a summer cocktail. One fan favorite spirit is the Song Sparrow made with Plantation rum, Aperol, homemade almond orgeat, dry curacao, lime, orange cream citrate bitters, and angostura bitters.

fancy salmon
fancy salmon, photo by Peerless Restaurant

Round out your meal with a dessert wine or one of their phenomenal sweets like the Black Pepper Basque Cheesecake made with strawberry, sorrel whipped cream, and a shortbread crumb. They even have a great happy hour from 5:00pm to 6:00pm every night on the deck or bar where you can grab some oysters and a martini before heading off to the theater. Reservations are highly recommended. 

Phone: 541-488-6067

Address: 265 4th Street, Ashland

Hours: Tuesday through Saturday, 5:00pm - 9:00pm

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Written By Diana Flowers

Diana is a writer living in Portland with her delightful son and crotchety cat. Growing up in the area, family vacations were often to nearby destinations reachable by car. She has since expanded that love of local road trips and has been all over the great state of Oregon and throughout the Pacific Northwest, frequently pairing backpacking trips with exploring new towns and regions.

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